I would recommend asking a title company. 

After breaking down the pros and cons the one thing I'm not unable to estimate is the appreciation difference between brick versus vinyl property and resale value so my question to experience investors is what would you recommend investing in for appraisal?

I'd recommend either going for a legal 3-4 flat or a 2-flat that is duplexed down or up.It's a good idea for your agent find out if any of the units are "non-conforming" or "illegal" before you take the time to show the property and make an offer.

He recommended a DSCR loan instead but the fees seem high ($55,500 to close).

If you have any recommended lenders, it’d be greatly appreciated!

You have some other recommendations in here, but feel free to reach out to @Kelli Bonner too.

Looking for anyone who has recommendations on a GC in this area (New Albany technically)?

Do you have any contacts or recommendations where I can find these folks?

Can someone else recommend a similar low cost product that will hold up better in rentals, that looks like hardwood-ish?

@Clark HagenI believe the mortgage would deed the house to you and is just seller financing and a contract for deed you don’t get the deedDefinitely want the mortgage and my recommendation would be to use the Fannie Mae templates docs (mortgage and note) which you can get online.